Your journey to daily gratitude begins with your decision to find something good in every situation.

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Day 511 of Giving Thanks

I am grateful that my mighty and powerful God surrounds me, and His gift to me is wonderful friends. I had a wonderful fellowship time today, spoke with a new friend and worshiped with my church family. Once a month I have the honor to greet those that walk through our doors at church – I love it. I get to see all the kids, hug my friends and make new comers welcome. What an amazing way to start out a beautiful day.

The message was very simple today – we are commanded to love one another as Jesus loves us. We are to show compassion for our brothers and sisters. It was a wonderful reminder. I believe strongly that so many of us are broken, that we cannot properly show others how absolutely wonderful God is in our lives, because we have not fully grasped it ourselves. I am grateful for God’s work in my life, for giving me outlets and venues to share and grow.

I am grateful for friendship and I pray for deeper, more compassionate showings of Jesus’ work in my life. I pray for those whose hearts are torn apart, and the lives that have shattered and they too can dwell in the hopeful thought of repair and restoration wholly in their lives. I pray for those who are lonely and who feel abandoned, that they can be reached by the loving arms of Christ through His children. I pray Lord, that I can be Your ambassador on many occasions, and I can carry appropriately Your compassion, love, tenderness and hope in my heart and it is displayed and received.

“God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we're free of worry on Judgment Day—our standing in the world is identical with Christ's. There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love.” ~1 John 4:17-18 (The Message)